Disclaimer: I do not own any of the AMC The Walking Dead Characters.

I'm very sorry for the very long wait... I'm a lot more busier now so you'll have to wait a little while between chapters untill I'm free to type more. On the upsides, Chapter 7 might be all Caryl fluff for you ;) aaaaand I might throw in a little at the end of this chapter only because I feel like being kindafter making y'all wait through pretty much 5-6 full chapters with no full on romance to see.

A Rose in the Apocalypse

CHAPTER SIX - Reunion and Bonds

I was now stared at the man infront of him who stepped out of the building "Carol?" the man sounds shocked and joyful "Glenn!? It's so nice to see you!" Carol said, they both smile "wow you're alive! and surprising to see you here of all places, wait, why are you here anyway?" Glenn asks us both "well like I said, I'm not returning untill I find Carol, and I have" I said "there's others with us, right now we're just looking for some supplies. You're a day away from the camp, why out this far Glenn?" he asks, Glenn shrugs "same, just looking for supplies. most the place is empty no poin even looking" the man replies "so I guess I'll hike with you guys?" Carol looks at me with that look, always the look... "fine, do what you will" I said, heading back the direction we came from "we best get moving though, we can't leave the main group on their own too long, the other search parties are probably heading back now" both of them follow him and catch up on things. Glenn was shocked to hear Judith is alive and said Rick and Carl will be very pleased about this.

By the time we made it back to the group all search groups were back. They took instant notice of Glenn but eased when I explained who he is. Greg walks over "so the young man will be joining us? I guess the extra shooter does't hurt, given you already know him from before. We should all get rest though we plan on continueing early" he said, I simply nod and take Glenn to see Judith. His face lit up with such joy "well look at you, all growing up and in fine shape!" Judith was shy of him, not being old enough to remember him fully but there was a slight bit of knowing in her eyes. The voice seemed familiar, or maybe it was his face. No one would know but her. Glenn spent some time with Judith to get her to warm up to him being there before he went off to get to know the other people. Greg had told me a few people didn't return from the search party, they were dead... Hopefully we wouldn't lose more on the way, we're alreadt at 10 people. 11 if you include Glenn just joining us. While the mechanics of the team checked over the vehicles, taking fuel from the ones too far damaged from horde attacks and placin the fuel in the better ones and so on, I took my time to be around Carol. The mothers were too busy with the infants anyway to hinder us so we went on scout, checking the area. She'll be on watch with me tonight, and though I may not show it, I'm glad to be able to have her company for a night. "so, looks like one more day on the road and we'll be at Ricks camp... I hope Judith remembers her father and brother..." she seemed to worry that Judith wouldn't "I think she will" I said reasuringly. With that she calmed a little an continued the scout with me, not many walkers near, just a couple. They were delt with easily.

-xx-

Night came and the rest of the people went to the vehicles to rest. Me and Carol stayed on watch on the top of the mini bus, giving us a good view all around. The road ahead of us wasn't shrouded by canopies of leaves, just endless sky and field it seems. A clear road meant a faster journey there, I just hope it'll stay like that. Carol stayed close to me that night, either hugged to my arm or dozing off on my shoulder every now and then. I told her she should go rest but she was determined to stay there with me. I both liked and disliked it... I liked it because it meant I get to be near her all night, and disliked it because I wish she wouldn't push herself like this. She decides to hug around my shoulders, so I hugged her back. I like this feeling. She felt cold though... Hopefully I could warm her up with just my body warmth, even if I didn't have much due to the cold air of night.

This feeling... What is it really? I know me and her had a close bond before the 2 years in which we haven't seen eachother, but this... This felt... New. Every day and night I feel it getting stronger, and when she gets close to me like this I feel my pulse rate go up some, and a strong urge to never let her go. I need to understand this growing feeling more... It'll be better knowing instead of standing around dumbly trying to figure it out and get no where with it, or find the answer and have the possibility it could be something bad and not good, sigh... I'm clearly not very good with things like this, I'm too blind to the fact I'm falling hard for her, and I'm DEFINITELY blind to the fact that she clearly has strong feelings for me. It's fine though Daryl... You'll notice eventually, and you'll notice your own feelings as well, maybe at the same time or at seperate times.

I just look at her sleeping for a moment. Silent and undisturbed, comfortable and finally feeling warmer. She wouln't be waking anytime soon that's for sure, but I knew that if I moved her she'd wake, so I'd leave her share body warmth with me instead of taking her into the mini bus or a car so she'd be at least a bit more comfortable and warm, I wouldn't want to wake her... She looks so beautiful... Smooth features but clearly strong and indipendant, the years of the apocalypse have shaped her well. I could feel muscle under the skin of her arms now, those 2 years must've been quite rough for her to have gained a nice amount of strength in her arms. Another thing that took my attention are those soft looking lips- No... I need to keep my attention on watch... I can't let myself get distracted for it could be fatal should I not notice a walker in time, but seriously... Those lips look very soft... But my chance will arrive, only then I'll feel the softness, but for now, I will focus only on keeping watch.

-xx-

Sunrise came, not a walker to even be seen. Carol had just woke and left my warmth to stretch. The click from her back sounded painful, but she looked relieved. She smiled at me half awake, and all I gave back was a tiny smile and a pat on her shoulder to wake her more as I stood, she soon followed. Glenn just woke by the looks of it, the drivers had woken too, they were having a quick morning snack right now and a few scouted the area afterwards. After that we all got to our vehicles and off we went down the clear long stretch of road, endless fields either side and a clear blue sky for a change. Glenn joined the elderly in the mini bus and I took to the lead right at front on my motorbike, the day was long, and felt like night would never arrive. When night came it was the usual rest up, someone else was on watch so I could get rest finding myself a nice empty back seat on the minibus to sleep on, these seats are softer than they look surprisingly. We were leaving very early, earlier that we have done for the time we've traveled. By noon we'll be at Ricks town.

Tell you what, why don't we just skip right ahead in the story to when we arrive.

-xx-

So here we are now, pulling up outside the gates which were connected to high walls of metal, they've done a lot of reinforcing since I was here last... New faces it seems too. One of the snipers called for Rick, I heard him say something about a weird looking group of people at the gates, yeah... These watch guards were definitely new. Guns trained on us, eyes watching every move untill the gates opened and Rick came out, he stared directly at me. Maggie came running passed when Glenn walke towards the gate, they both embraced eachother desperately. She was probabl worried sick about Glenn for being gone for longer than he probably usualy does. Ricks stare soon turned into shock when he saw Carol step out of the car with Judith, it was like time had frozen for the man. Carol gave him a smile, that crying look as well. She wasnt sad though, she was just very happy to see him again as he walked over slowly, watching only Judith "is this...?" was all he could get out before sounding like he was choking on his words, taking hold of Judith tenderly but with a grip she would not fall from, his face lit up and he was overjoyed, his baby girl alive. Carl was sure to be joyed as well when he finds out. The others in the group exited the vehicles except the drivers, there weren't many left now... Rick stared at them before giving me a rather cold stare "you told me to bring back survivors if I foun any, and I did" was all I said to him, he'd probably have his rant at me later. Right now all he really wanted was to be with his daughter, and I honestly don't blame him for being clingy of her either. He told the group to come into the town and so they did. Now came the tension...

Tyrees... He knew. You could tell by the way he was looking at Carol, that he knew about what she had done. I purposefully positioned myself between the 2, staring at Tyrees once I caught his attention. Come on Tyrees... If you're going to lash out, do it already... Instead he just glared death at me and walked off. He knew full well if he touched Carol he'd have only not me, but Glenn, Maggie, Rick, pretty much everyone on his back for it. He's smart, and that was good I guess. Carol however didn't seem to even bat and eyelid at the glares from the man, she wasn't afraid. Her ttention was taken from looking at me when Carl and Beth pretty much hug tackle the woman, good thing she's much sterdier on her feet now, or she would have gone flying. I decided to leave Carol reunite with everyone and talk things over with Rick, sure... he wasn't very happy about the amount I brought back with me, but he told me he'll accept them in as long as they pull their weight around the place and help scavange for food, clothes, water, ammo and so on. They will be assigned their jobs in the place, what they'll do, when they'll do it, how they'll do it. The elderly were assigned to daycare and farming, while the men of the group, the younger men were given either guard duty, search party, or scout work. The mothers weren't given much to do, only that they do the washing of clothes and help with the daycaring and such. Carol was put on search duty with me, we're part of a larger group of scavangers now. We'll be looking for anything we can find to eat, drink, and/or use. Some days we'll have others with us, and other days we'll only have eachother to watch our backs. He also told me to not to confront Tyrees either unless I had no other choice but to. If the man stepped out of line, it's to be reported, and I'm not to put him in his place unless there is no other choice but to. The last thing Rick needs is some form of fight breaking out with the man.

When Carl came over to reunite with his baby sister, I took the group to their new homes. Maggie came along to help out and to get them settled and made to feel welcome. Whatever supplies we had left in the vehicles were put into storage where they'll be safe and kept fresh, luckily there was electricity here, the generators were heavily rationed every day, as soon as night came, the electric was on for only 4 hours, and then everyone not needed are to be in bed. Hot water was also heavily rationed, same for everything really. With a fair number of people here, babies, infants and young children included, it'd be quite restricted. That's the way of life I guess... They had to search harder and farther for supplies that were still useable. But the farm they have there was quite productive, thankfully. There are carrots, potatoes, tomatoes... You name it. If they could grow it in the climate of the area, they had a healthy supply of them. Formula for babies wasn't great... That was getting increasingly hard to find now, and baby food. They'd have to mash up vegetables to create baby food due to lack of finding any, and formula was only given when very needed.

In the time I had been away, they had also repaired the school, the children here were given lessons there, taught the basics and when old enough, told how to defend themselves ready for if they had to or when they'd be put on their jobs for future years. There were a few doctors as well, all of different skill and level. We have fine cooks and skillful guards, and highly trained snipers and stealths. The town is a fair size, and all around were blocked off with strong metal walls, and constant guard duty. Gates located on each direction. North, East, West and South. But there was much more there. Plenty of empty homes to fill, plenty of choice. After the new group was settled I headed to the little house I was residing in before I left. It had been kept clean by the looks of it. I went to my weapons storage and stocked up on arrows and bullets, ready for whenever. I took the time to freshen up and find clothes that weren't all ripped. I sat in the main room and took time to sharpen my blades and clean everything, enjoying the silence and comfort to a point. This town was peaceful, and nothing like Woodbury. It has a good aura and not an uneasy one, like something dark and twisted was waiting in the shadows waiting to emerge and attack the unsuspecting. Nothing felt out of place, anyone new brought in was watched closely of course, but that's only to make sure they wouldn't stab you in the back, metaphoricly and literally. Traitors are rejected out into the wilds to fed for themselves, depending on what they did to betray us.

By early evening, Carol was done reuniting with everyone, Judith was now in near enough constant watch of Rick and Carl. Beth showed Carol to where my little house is, and I let the woman in when they knocked on the door. Beth just waves and skips off, having already become good friends with the overly hyperactive Daisy, those 2 will get along well it seems. Me and Carol sat in the main room and I continued sharpening my blades then cleaning the guns. She looked comfortable finally having a couch to sit on after the long journey. "so, chosen where you'll be staying yet?" I ask, she took a few moments to reply, having been lost to comfort "not yet, I'll be chosing later tonight. Rick said there's plenty of places to chose from, whether my own place or sharing with someone else" I liked that reply, even if I didn't show it. I have a spare room in this house, she is more than welcome to stay here but... I wouldn't really know how to say that to her or ask her really... I'd need to find the right moment. She needed to rest first, get her mind of everything and finally have some peace knowing she's fully safe. She handed me her weapons after I told her I'll sharpen and clean them. She still has that knife... And it's a good thing I offered to sharpen it too, it had become very blunted from use and lack of sharpening stones, I'd spend a good hour just working on it as she dozed off on the couch across from me. I'll let her sleep, she looks like she could do with it.

I left her sleep there for a couple of hours before waking her with a gentle shake on the shoulder, it's getting dark outside. It's sunset, so not long now untill night. She looked at me groggily for a few moments before smiling. Damn it woman! Why do you always have to give me such a beautiful smile when my guard is down? She chuckles at my blank stare at the smile and sat up, suddenly pulling me down onto the seat next to her and not letting me get up. I just slump and stare at the cieling letting her have her random moment. She's busy poking me trying to get my attention, she always found it amusing so I let her get on with it. Gentle pokes with a certain amount of firmness behind them. Enough to be felt, but not to hurt. I poked her on the forehead eventually, half arsedly of course "so, why don't you stay in this house? There's an extra room in here and a bed" I said, I didn't expect it to just come out. I didn't let the fact show that I startled myself by suddenly asking. She just grins and accepts, that's good. She got comfy by hugging up to my arm again, I watched her silently, thinking... What should I do? Do I kiss her? But... If I did that, I don't know if she'll freak out and walk away, I don't want to ruin my bond with her, not now... Even if I am still blind to the fact she likes me. I stayed here with her like this for a good while. the only light coming into the room was the street lights filtering through the curtains of the windows. I felt her fingers lock with mine slowly... Such tender tough for a firm handed woman. I like this feeling more and more as it got stronger and stronger.

When I looked at her she was already looking up at me, her head on my shoulder which I had not even felt, nor noticed untill now. I sort of froze at how close our faces were, I didn'tt know what I'd do or what'll happen to be honest with you. I just hoped nothing bad will happen. There's that feeling again... The one that made my pulse rate rise. Our noses barely touched, only very light brushes with small movements were felt. It got to a point that our foreheads were now touching, I was going to be outgoing here and maybe give a small tease on her lips, I got a good reaction from it. She tried to push at the tease but didn't really succede. Both our pulse rates were probably hitting the cieling by now as the teases turned into kisses, and not fully gentle ones either. Semi firm but with strong controll on holding them back just enough to make them good. Her lips are warm, very soft, and this felt amazing. The kiss broke a small while after and we just looked at eeachother in silence, I felt her hands on my lower torso, what was she thinking? That wasn't a normal hand resting on body. Whatever it was, it most likely would be just as amazing as the kisses are.

-END OF CHAPTER SIX-

Okay, like I said, very sory for the very long wait. Chappter 7 will most likely just be ALL Caryl fluff and not much from other characters. I don't know how many more chapters I'll make.

Due to being much more busier now, I can only type up the chapters when I'm free. So I hope you all don't mind waiting. I've had good views on this story so far and quite a number are enjoying it. I hope you liked this chapter, I know it's not the best one lol.